Korean trap artist Okasian, was born in the United States but moved to Korea as a baby and stayed there until age 16, when he came back to the states for high school. It was in these formative years that he discovered hip hop. His own music practice developed organically, something he thought of as a hobby more than anything else. Okasian finally started recording and releasing mixtapes in 2010, Preseason #1 followed by Preseason #2 in 2011, gaining him the attention of Hi-Lite, the record label representing some of the top talent in Korea’s underground hip hop scene. He released his debut album through, Boarding Procedures through them.

Okasian gained worldwide attention when “It G Ma,” a Keith Ape track on which he was featured, went viral back in 2015. Seoul-based Okasian is a pioneering force in Khiphop, a genre still working out its own identity and distinctive style. Unlike other Khiphop stars who’ve left Korea to pursue their music elsewhere, Okasian is intent on continuing to develop his sound in Korea. His understanding of both American and Korean culture helps him bridge the gap between the two styles of hip hop, resulting in a style that, while it gestures towards American influences, is decidedly unique from it. Head to Okasian’s soundcloud to check out the rest of his music, and don’t miss out on his instagram, either. He’s got killer style.